Bioengineering/ Biomedical Engineering

Lisette Manrique's Dream Job

Lisette designs brain surgery tools for neurosurgeons. She draws three-dimensional computer models, builds and tests prototypes, and makes the instruments. Lisette likes the hands-on aspect of her work, and she loves that her job contributes to saving lives.

Where she works
Lisette is a product development engineer at Covidien Sports Surgery. This biomedical company specializes in creating devices and systems to improve the repair of soft tissues after sports injuries.

Favorite project
While in engineering school, Lisette helped children using wheelchairs to become more mobile. She attached a sensing system, typically used in trucks, to their wheelchairs. When the kids approached a person or an object they might crash into, the sensor signaled for them to change directions.

Great engineering experience“I spent two months working and traveling in Costa Rica. Our team at the Federal Fire Protection Department developed a database supporting the local emergency response system. This amazing opportunity allowed me to practice speaking Spanish and to meet many brave firefighters.”

A childhood story“I came across a photo of myself. In it, I was two years old and playing with a jar of nuts and bolts. My mom told me that this ‘toy’ had been one of my favorites, and that I never even put the items in my mouth! Both parents joke that I was an engineer from the start.”

What got her interestedAlthough Lisette was interested in medicine, she didn’t want to become a doctor. When she discovered biomedical engineering, she realized it was what she had been looking for—a growing field full of exciting research and job opportunities.

Engineering and life
“You get to apply what you know to everyday challenges like pitching a tent or building a swing.”

Advice
“Never let anyone convince you that you can’t do it, because if you have the desire and drive, you can!”

Background Lisette’s mother is originally from Puerto Rico and her father is from Colombia. Along with her two older brothers, she was born and raised in the Boston area.

Major funding for Engineer Your Life provided by The National Science Foundation and Northrop Grumman Foundation. Additional funding provided by Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr and the United Engineering Foundation (ASCE, ASME, AIChE, IEEE, AIME).